
ence. It puts the old law in a new setting
and love in a new light. It becomes a new
code of conduct to those who through the
new birth become new creatures under the
new covenant. To them "all things are be-
come new," even the Decalogue.
8.
What message has been heard
from the beginning? 1 John 3:11.
Nora.—"The command to love one an-
other had a new meaning in the light of His
self-sacrifice. The whole work of grace is
one continual service of love, of self-denying,
self-sacrificing effort. During every hour of
Christ's sojourn upon the earth, the love of
God was flowing from Him in irrepressible
streams. All who are imbued with His Spirit
will love as He loved. The very principle
that actuated Christ will actuate them in all
their dealing one with another. . . . When
men are bound together, not by force or self-
interest, but by love, they show the working
of an influence that is above every human
influence. Where this oneness exists, it is
evidence that the image of God is being re-
stored in humanity, that a new principle of
life has been implanted. It shows that there
is power in the divine nature to withstand
the supernatural agencies of evil, and that
the grace of God subdues the selfishness in-
herent in the natural heart."—The
Desire of
Ages,
pages 677, 678.
9.
What example of disobedience
to this ancient commandment is cited?
And what basic motive is revealed?
1 John 3:12, 15. Compare 1 John
2:9, 11.
.
The Evidence of Discipleship
10.
What does obedience to the new
commandment reveal to "all men"?
John 13:34, 35.
Nora.—Not by their peculiarity of dress,
orthodoxy of belief, austerity of life, or rites
and ceremonies are the followers of Christ to
be recognized. Love is the badge of their
order, the banner of their religion. Tertullian
said: "The working of such love puts a
brand upon us; for see, say the heathen, how
they love one another, and are ready to lay
down their lives for each other." Jerome de-
clared that John in his old age often quoted
the new commandment, and when asked
why, he replied, "Because it is the Lord's
commandment; and if it be fulfilled it is
enough."
11.
What do Christian love and
unity show to the world? John
17:21-26.
NOTE.—"There is nothing that Christ de-
sires so much as agents who will represent to
the world His Spirit and character. There is
nothing that the world needs so much as the
manifestation through humanity of the Sav-
iour's love. All heaven is waiting for chan-
nels through which can be poured the holy
oil to be a joy and blessing to human hearts.
Christ has made every provision that His
church shall be a transformed body, illu-
mined with the Light of the world, possess-
ing the glory of Immanuel. It is His purpose
that every Christian shall be surrounded
with a spiritual atmosphere of light and
peace. He desires that we shall reveal His
own joy in our lives. The indwelling of
the Spirit will be shown by the outflowing
of heavenly
love."—Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 419 (new ed., pp. 428, 429).
12.
What kind of love should Chris-
tians manifest? How should they re-
gard evil and good? What will be
their attitude toward each other?
Rom. 12:9, 10.
Nora.—"Let your love be perfectly sin-
cere." (Weymouth.) "Let love be genuine."
(R.S .V.)
"Let us remember that a Christlike life is
the most powerful argument that can be ad-
vanced in favor of Christianity, and that a
cheap Christian character works more harm
in the world than the character of a world-
ling. Not all the books written can serve the
purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not
what the minister preaches, but what the
church lives. Too often the influence of the
sermon preached from the pulpit is counter-
acted by the sermon preached in the lives of
those who claim to be advocates of truth."—
Testimonies,
vol. 9, p. 21.
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